Change Your Image
NolanChaloupka_OnceUponAMoviePod
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
A sweet film!
We finally got The Peanut Butter Falcon playing in my town so naturally I was first in line to see it. After hearing all the hype from this film it's safe to say I was ecstatic to see it. After the film ended I had a great time, but I felt it was a bit overhyped.
First of all the pros of this film, Shia LeBeouff and Dakota Johnson give a great performance with a fun story that kept a smile on my face throughout the film. I also felt the film looked fantastic. The cinematography was gritty, real and did a great job of capturing the swampy area of the North Carolina Outer Banks.
As for cons I felt that there were some scenes that didn't really work for me. They seemed a little pretentious or out of left field. And I don't know if I really buy the ending of the film. It seemed a little far fetched for my tastes.
However, I love this film. Looking at it from a critics standpoint it has some issues, but looking at it from a movie viewer it's a great time! I plan to watch this again as soon as it comes out. If this film is playing in your town go check it out!
The Farewell (2019)
A surprise from Awkwafina
The Farewell was a pleasant surprise that really hit home for me. Being completely turned off by the trailer I still wanted to give this film a chance. After a really moving performance from Awkwafina I walked out grinning ear to ear. This film really pulls on your heart strings as it portrays the emotional roller coaster of dealing with a loved one who is terminally ill. I myself have had to deal with this same drama only a few months before seeing this film so it really meant a lot to me. However, the only difference is we told our loved one about the illness she was facing. Which is something I found fascinating in this film. It is common in Chinese culture to not tell someone they have cancer. I thought director Lulu Wang did an excellent job capturing this. Many family members are dealing with different emotions and Lulu Wang was able to show you this in an almost fly on the wall scenario. I just felt like I was watching real life events, like for example the film, Manchester By The Sea.
What really moved me was the performance from Awkwafina as the main character. She gave a performance that should hopefully raise eyebrows at the academy. She was a really easy character to connect to. All of us love our grandmothers and we want only the best for them and when you are watching them fade away as she did, it has to be agonizing and she did a hell of a job portraying it on screen.
My only flaw with this film is that in the beginning of the third act the pacing really slows down at a wedding scene. I felt it was boring, however after that it picks back up and leaves you with a really heartfelt ending.
I can not recommend this movie enough. I believe it will get a few Oscar nominations, but unfortunately just short of best picture.